Rice stripe virus (RSV) is one of the serious plant pathogenic viruses for rice transmitted by small brown planthopper, SBPH, Laodalphax striatellus. RNA interference (RNAi) is an universal gene-knockdown mechanism in eukaryotic organisms which includes insects，and has been considered as an alternative strategy to control insect pests. Hence, we applied this technique to interfere the translation of target RNA genes to knockdown the virus gene on RSV-viruliferous L. striatellus. Three out of seven RSV genes, RdRp, NS3, and NCP were used as target genes and each dsRNA targeting the viral genes were delivered to the insects indirectly through the rice leaves by irrigation. As a result, not only the relative expression level of target genes decreased but also those of non-target genes and the replication of RSV genome as well. In summary, leaf-mediated dsRNA feeding methods would be useful in the knockdown of target genes on piercing-sucking insects. The genes used in this experiment can be utilized for the development of pest-resistant transgenic plants based on RNAi.

• Saes Byeol An(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Ying Fang(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jae Young Choi(Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Seok-Hee Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jong Hoon Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Shin Sang Woon(Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Woo Jin Kim(Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Yeon Ho Je(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)